Monday, February 25, 2008

History

The gothic arch challenge this week is history. It always amazes me that so many arch challenges fit right into my life at the moment. My grandmother and aunt are here visiting and my aunt brought a whole CD of old family photos she scanned when she was at grandma's. Well, there is this one photo of my great grandfather that I absolutely love. He was about 14 years old sitting in front of an old quilt playing a banjo. The photo was badly damaged, so my dear hubby spent about an hour photo shopping it to repair the damage. It's a gem now. I printed it onto fabric for my arch.

This is John William Bowen who lived August 18, 1899 to September 20, 1982 in Kingston, Arkansas. He was a farmer, woodworker, musician, loving husband and father of six. I am very lucky that I had an opportunity to spend time with him and know him when I was a child and young teen. I spent time visiting with great grandpa on the porch swing that he built. I enjoyed playing in the yard, swimming in the creek, gathering eggs, and picking vegetables that he and grandma grew. I did not enjoy using the outhouse, but that was part of going to their house, too. I always saw him wearing overalls, never any other type of clothing as far as I can remember. I was the same age that grandpa is here when I last saw him. He made an indelible impression on me and I still miss him.

For this arch I used a variety of things: denim, photo printed on muslin, vintage button, grungeboard swirl with crackle paint and distress ink in faded jeans, vintage lace, vintage sheet music, K&Co letters, the base is a bark like paper that I picked up at the thrift shop, and a date stamp down in the corner.

If you'd like to see what I am doing with all these wonderful arches, I posted about it on Craft Critique today. I am using a product called CardKeepers that is just perfect for the arches.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Georgeous arch !

Sandy said...

Wow this is brilliant. Such beautiful.

http://truutske.blogspot.com said...

Very very nice arch!!
Great idea...I like it.

K Hutchinson said...

I love your arch! The history of it is awesome! You are so lucky to know this history!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, love the touch of blue.

Heather Grow said...

Very cool. I like the sepias with the pop of blue.

Alison Gibbs said...

Love the colours you have used in your arch.
Alison

Anonymous said...

Where to start......I am always having trouble incorporating fabric into my projects and you made such a gem here! It's fantastic!! A great piece of family history :)...

I bought a bunch of photo printer fabric stuff when Sew Somerset came out last year....it's in storage- yet another reason I can't wait to get out of here!

Barbara Hagerty said...

What a beautifully collaged piece! I love the tenderness and care that is evident in your work and in your posts! A beautiful tribute, too!

Heather Robinson said...

There is such emotion in this piece and I feel honoured that you introduced us to someone so important in your life through your art and your words.

Kriss said...

Fabulous! I love your story and the great image you used.

Frieda Oxenham said...

Fabulous arch. Love the colour combination, and you're so lucky to have such old family photo's!!

thimbles bobbins paper and ink said...

Tami this is wonderful. It is so rich in family history and heritage and it is a work of art as well. I'm so happy you shared your story that goes with it.

Jennifer :)

Mary-Beth said...

Wonderful arch and I love how you've incorporated your history!

Vintage Papers said...

beautiful arch and such a charming photo! love it!

Lesa said...

Thanx for sharing some of your rich family history. Great photo - great arch. Fabulous you!

GW said...

Kimberley here from Fiskateers!

Wow....I *love* your blog's header image! I hope you don't mind if I scraplift the idea of making a collage and photographing it. That is awesome.

We're switching hosts at the end of the month and will be changing our site designs when we do.

This gothic arch is neat, as is the story about your grandpa.

ChrissyM said...

Gorgeous!

Debby said...

Tami, your arch is wonderful. Love it!
Debby

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

Lovely arch Tami. What I like too is that you actually knew the person in your arch.

RobinDiane said...

Great blog..the arch is beautiful.